German 8ton Semi Track Sd Kfz7

Kit Manufacturer: Tamiya

Major Material: Plastic

Scale: 1/35

Rarity: Medium

Model Specifications:

Tamiya has produced plastic model kit of many variations of this famous vehicle, but this motorized kit is the rarest one produced in the 1980s. This kit contains the FA-130 motor, fully detailed plastic tracks, and eight realistic figures.

Historical Notes:

The German Sd.Kfz 7 Half-Tracked Prime Mover stands out as one of the most successful support vehicle in the World War II. This 8-ton semi-tracked vehicle was used primarily by artillery units to tow the well known 88mm anti-aircraft gun and the 150mm heavy field cannon. Developed by the Krauss-Maffei company, the basic construction of a vehicle used a remodeled ladder type frame from a conventional truck; a front suspension system consisting of a transverse leaf spring and track rod; and a rear suspension system with leaf springss and torsion bars that were matched to compound track rollers typical of German military vehicles of the time. The Maybach made powerplant provided 140 horsepower, giving a top speed of approximately 50km/h. Variations were produced, which included the self-propelled flak units, mounting a 20mm or 37mm anti-aircraft gun, and a mobile launch control post for the V-2 rocket, late in the conflict. With its excellent versatility and reliability, this 8-ton half-track has been regarded as a masterpiece in military vehicle design. - by Tamiya